Bridgeport 395 v2 Review
With the revolution in machining that has allowed just about anyone to get a knife design made, it is the imagination that limits designs. Unfortunately, despite what we are told in preschool, most people’s imagination stinks. The result in the knife world is that we have a bunch of knives that were “good ideas” on paper that aren’t great in reality (either because they actually weren’t great ideas or because their execution fell short). Being a knife designer is easy if you define it as someone that has designed a knife. Being a knife designer is very hard if you define it as someone who has designed a good knife.
But there are a few examples of folks that have just made good knives out of the gate without the use of an editor or the backing of a huge company. Joseph Vero of Vero Engineering is one example. And whoever is behind Bridgeport Knife Company is another. I write “whoever” because, despite my digging, I can’t find the person’s name. One thing that seems to be mentioned consistently, and therefore is possibly true, is the fact that the designer is a 19-20 year old kid from southern California. If that’s true, the knife is even more remarkable. Let’s look at why.
Here is the product page. There are two versions (this is a V2). V2 has two variants—one with a thumb stud and hole and this version that has just the hole. There are two blade finishes and a few handle materials. There is also a full Ti version that is exclusive to Way of Knife. The version I got was $190. A micarta handled version can be had for $145. The full Ti version without any mods or ano is $200. You can get it with Skiff bearings and a huge variety of ano jobs that Way of Knife specializes in. As of the writing of this review, the version that serves as the review sample is sold out, as is the full Ti version. There are a few other versions on the Bridgeport site that are in stock. There are no written reviews yet. Here is a video review.
Finally, here is my review sample:
Quick Review Summary: The 395 is good or great at just about everything.
As a side note, the site has a Threads account. I don’t do social media particularly well, but Twitter was a pain in the ass after The Odor took over, so I stopped using it and deactivated the account. Maybe Threads will be the same way, but at least it looks like its run by adults and not the world’s wealthiest and oldest teenage boy.
Design: 2
Let’s get the elephant in the handle out of the way—this is an exposed rear tang design and I hate them. But, like with the Oz Machine Co Roosevelt, this exposed rear tang can’t capture material that prevents lock up and that makes it better than most. Here is why. First, the handle doesn’t create a pinch point where stuff can fall between the rear tang and the handle itself. Second, this is a liner lock, so unlike with a lockback or sliding bar lock design, so the portion of the tang that is exposed can’t snag stuff. It is also nicely rounded over, so its not even a pain in the hand or pocket. I’d prefer it not be there, but for reasons I will get into below, it might be worth the tradeoff given that it is not as problematic as a normal exposed rear tang.
Aside from that one issue this is an absolutely brilliant design. Its restrained without weird gills, slits, or “ergonomic” facets or finger scallops. It seems simple, because it is, but it is also smart. There is a full forward finger choil in there, their is plenty of access to the lockbar, and the thumb hole works great for a Spydieflick deployment while keeping the knife’s clean lines aesthetic.
Fit and Finish: 2
Bridgeport uses Kubey as their OEM and Kubey, like many Chinese brands, both makes their own knives and does OEM work for others (see also WE Knives, Bestech, QSP, and Reate). Interestingly Kubey’s line up consists of some pretty inexpensive knives and a cache of blades with S90V blade steel. This knife trends towards that high end stuff in materials and Kubey, apparently, crushes fit and finish because the 395 is immaculate. The chamfer around the handle is nicely done. The blade is centered and lock up is dead solid. The spine is crowned. All of the finishes are consistent and even. In short, like a lot of knives these days, this knife is pretty much perfectly made. Given how many companies can do this kind of work, it makes others stand out like a sore thumb.
Grip: 2
The clip here is damn near the best I have ever seen. But it does leave you in a bit of a pickle. Spydieflicks are clearly the best deployment option on the non-thumb stud model, but the exceedingly low profile clip leaves you with no place to rest your fingers. It is a bit awkward and so the grip is not perfect, but in hand, during use, you won’t find a flaw. I don’t feel like it is enough to ding the knife a full point, but it is something you should know going in.
Carry: 2
With a simple and relatively flat profile the 395 is a joy in the pocket, big enough to let you know it is there, but not so big as to be a problem. You can slide it in and out with no problem and the clip works with ease. I’d still prefer a buried rear tang, but I think that horse was take care of above.
Steel: 2
20CV is, after all, closely related to M390 and I am pretty bored writing about this family of steel. Its really good, but at this point nothing exotic. Its more than sufficient for most people, holds an edge well, doesn’t chip, and never appears rusty.
Blade Shape: 2
For all the marketing people out there that have to come up with names for blade shapes or those that are heavily invested in the taxonomy of blade shapes this is a real challenge. Is it a drop point? It is a reverse tanto? Is it a clip point? Like lots of fine distinctions (see e.g.: music genres), I am not all that concerned what it is, so long as it works and here, this kinda sorta blade shape really, really works. It gives the tip a ton of piercing power yet leaves the edge thin and slicey. So, in the end, what kind of blade is this? How about “a good one?”
Grind: 2
The Exposed Rear Tang gods giveth and taketh away. Here is where the tradeoff pays off. The handle is not monstrously tall, but the blade is. As you can see in the picture above, the handle is a similar dimension to the Mini Synapse, but the blade is much taller. By making the blade quite tall, the design allows for a very long approach for a very hollow grind. Those two things in combination render the 395 into an elite slicer. Given just how good a cutting tool this is, I am willing to overlook the exposed rear tang, especially in light of how it differs from the versions that bother me so much. Hollow grinds truly rock.
Deployment Method: 2
I like detents like I enjoy fries and bacon—crispy. This is a crispy detent for sure, coming in behind only something like a custom RJ Martin. The best deployment method is a Spydieflick and the best what to do that is to hit the very bottom of the thumb slot. If you don’t you will struggle a bit, especially until you have your finger placement figured out. Once you do get the routine down though you will be rewarded with snappy deployment and a pleasant “PING” as the blade swings into the locked position.
Retention Method: 2
Its taken years of people making shitty 3D titanium clips, but we have finally have one that I think is perfect. It is virtually invisible in the hand, the very best clip I have seen on a folder when the knife is open and in use. And while it is not a good finger rest for deploying the blade, it is excellent in the pocket as well. The ramp at the back end is very much appreciated. Overall, you won’t find better.
Lock: 2
This is a nested liner lock with excellent action, zero blade play, and easy access for disengagement. All of this excellence is a reminder—you don’t need more than a good liner lock to make a good knife.
Other Considerations
Fidget Factor: High
Once you figure out the finger yoga and the detent, this thing fires like a rocket and is incredibly fun to play with.
Fett Effect: Low
CF and blasted metal don’t really show all that much wear, though there are some snail trails on the clip.
Value: Very High
At around $190 this version is an excellent buy, but if you can score one of the knives without the CF handle, it becomes a truly great buy. At a $145 this knife is in the same value tier as stuff like the Neutron 2.
Overall Score: 20 of 20
Two small dings, mentioned in their appropriate section hold this knife back from being perfect (the exposed rear tang and the awkward finger placement during deployment), but this would be like a 96 out of a 100 on a more finely graduated scale. As the second run of a first design, the 395 is amazing. It is very clear that whoever is behind Bridgeport Knife Co. knows what he is doing, I love this knife a lot and I think it is one of the better blades on the market. There are few left as of the writing of this review, so go snap them up. You won’t regret it.
Competition
Last week’s review of the Deka had a Top 10 knives right now and the 395 made that list, so go check that out if you want to know where the knife is relative to other knives. One knife, however that I can’t shake when I see or carry the 395 is the Spyderco Brouwer. Other than the clip, which can be easily remedied, the Brouwer is one of my very favorite Spyderco’s ever. With its great, simple handle and superior, but unthreatening blade shape, it hits all the points I need a knife to hit to like it. Its just great. And even with the funky blade shape here, I get the same vibe—simple, clean lines with high utility. Oh, yes, and a much, much better clip and clip placement.
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